What To Expect

CROWD - We expect to see 100 - 200 attendees at the Newcomers Reception and 500 for the Opening Reception.

SOUND/LIGHTING - In all spaces, mid volume sounds will be featured, such as background music, and hosts will present greetings over commercial speaker systems. The spaces reserved for the CACUSS events (Memorial Hall and Art Gallery) will be primarily lit by overhead lighting. There will be a live band playing during the evening.

SPACE/QUIET SPACE - Any public spaces throughout the Confederation Center will be open to all CACUSS attendees during regular business hours. Victoria Row, just outside the Confederation Center on the Richmond Street Entrance, offers a number of restaurants with indoor and outdoor seating for those who wish to rest, have discussion, or personal time in an alternate space.

LANGUAGE - The Confederation Centre signage is in French and English. All programming and signage related to the CACUSS Conference will be in English.

ALCOHOL/BEVERAGES - There will be cash bars set up for the events at the Confederation Center serving beer, wine, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages.

FOOD/SERVICE - There is no formal dinner at the Confederation Center; passed and stationed food will be offered after the welcome in Memorial Hall. Menus will offer vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, and nut-free options. Please note that the caterer does claim that there may be traces of nuts. For life-threatening allergies, please email events@cacuss.ca in advance of the conference to notify the CACUSS team.

RESTROOMS - Gendered restrooms are located on the main floor. There is one set of gendered washrooms near the Queen Street entrance and another set near the Richmond Street entrance. The washrooms near the Queen St entrance are accessed by a set of stairs. The gender neutral and accessible washroom is a single stall facility located near the Queen St. entrance. Please note if you are attending the Newcomers reception, there are no restrooms in the Art Gallery. Those needing accessible facilities will have to exit the building and re-enter at the Queen Street entrance where they can access the accessible washroom.

ELEVATORS - The elevator is located at the Queen Street entrance and a lift located at the Richmond Street entrance. Please note if you are attending the Newcomers reception and require an elevator, you will need to contact the individual working in the Art Gallery to give you access to the elevator between floors.

TRANSPORTATION/TERRAIN - Attendees will be expected to provide their own transportation to and from events. This venue is within walking distance of the PEI Convention Center and Delta Hotel (400m, straight up Queen Street). Charlottetown has a public transit system that is wheelchair accessible, for those who may require this service. For more information, please visit the website, https://t3transit.ca/. Another option for accessible transportation includes booking services with Pat and Elephant: http://patandtheelephant.org

ATTENDANT CARE - Attendants will not be pre-booked for events at the Confederation Center of the Arts. Should you wish to use an attendant, fee-for-service care can be arranged by contacting events@cacuss.ca prior to the conference.

Events at the Prince Edward Island Convention Centre (Delta Hotel)

Plenaries

Concurrent sessions

Closing Banquet

CROWD – We anticipate that 700+ people will be attending the conference and 500 will attend the closing banquet.

SOUND/LIGHTING – Meeting rooms feature sound dampening materials and wall panels to reduce the echoing that causes difficulties for those who are hard of hearing. During nutrition breaks/lunches/between presentations, expect chatter amongst fellow colleagues. Most common areas will be lit naturally during the day. Concurrent session and gathering spaces are lit by a mix of natural light and bright, fluorescent lights. There will be a band and DJ at the closing banquet.

SPACE – The Convention Center offers 30,000 square feet of space, 14 meeting rooms, and 8500 sq ft of foyer space on the first floor. On the second floor you can find 7000 sq ft of meeting space, 9 meeting rooms, and 5800 sq ft of mezzanine space. There are multiple meeting rooms on the first and second levels that, when not in use, may provide quiet space.

LANGUAGE – Way-finding and programming signage as well as service at the CACUSS Conference will be in English.

ALCOHOL/BEVERAGES – During the closing banquet, to be held in the Palmer/Gray/Pope Ballroom, there will be alcohol available. Hot and cold non-alcoholic beverages will be available during nutrition breaks and lunches.

FOOD/SERVICE – Each conference meal will offer vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free and nut-free options during morning and afternoon nutrition breaks and lunch service in Sir John A. MacDonald Ballroom. Should you wish to enjoy your meals and nutrition breaks seated, tables and chairs will be available in the adjacent ballroom, Gray/Palmer/Pope. Please note that the Convention Center kitchen does have traces of nuts. Please look at the conference website for an updated menu. For life-threatening allergies, please email events@cacuss.ca in advance of the conference to notify the CACUSS team. Food will be served buffet and for the nutrition breaks in between sessions, there will be an easy grab-and-go format. The banquet dinner will be plated.

RESTROOMS – There are gendered washrooms located on both floors. There is one gender neutral washroom on the main floor. All washrooms in the convention area are accessible.

ELEVATORS/STAIRS – There are 3 elevators located in the lobby area, approx. 15 ft from the check in desk of the hotel. Second floor meeting spaces are accessible via these elevators. Elevators are 8’8” deep x 6’6” deep x 8’ high and are equipped with braille numbering. Stairs are located on Water Street, Queen Street, and at the main entrance into the building. There are stairs to the second level meeting space located in the lobby. There is a ramp located at the main entrance, giving access to the lobby and main level.

TRANSPORTATION– Attendees will be expected to provide their own transportation to and from the conference. This venue is within walking distance or a short taxi ride of multiple hotels located in downtown Charlottetown. Charlottetown has a public transit system that is wheelchair accessible, for those who may require this service. For more information, please visit the website, https://t3transit.ca/. Another option for accessible transportation includes booking services with Pat and Elephant: http://patandtheelephant.org

ATTENDANT CARE – If there is a possibility that you will wish to use attendant service when at the Convention Center, please email events@cacuss.ca in advance of the conference to notify the CACUSS team. Support persons are welcome and service animals are allowed in all areas of the Convention Center.

SOUND – There will be a mix of dark lighting and bright lights. This event will involve loud music and singing using a commercial speaker system.

SPACE/QUIET SPACE – This venue is located on Level 1 of the Murphy Community Center,. This building has a split entrance. The venue is down one flight of stairs from the main door. The venue is large and can hold up to 300 people. There will be no designated quiet spaces.

LANGUAGE – Heather MacIsaac, a local host and emcee, will host this event in English.

ALCOHOL/BEVERAGES – This venue will serve alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages.

RESTROOMS – Gendered washrooms are available on the same level as The Alley. Both are accessible. There is a single private washroom available off of the adjacent Private Room which is also accessible.

ELEVATORS/STAIRS – There is a ramp at the front of the building allowing access to the main entrance. Immediately to the left of the main entrance is an elevator which will allow access to The Alley on Level 1. Within The Alley there are 3 steps down to the bowling lanes equipped with a chair lift.

TRANSPORTATION/TERRAIN (walking, additional requirements etc.) – This venue is within walking distance or a short taxi ride of multiple hotels located in downtown Charlottetown. The Alley is located 600 m from the Delta Hotel and Convention Center, which should take approximately 7 min to walk. This venue is within walking distance or a short taxi ride of multiple hotels located in downtown Charlottetown. Charlottetown has a public transit system that is wheelchair accessible, for those who may require this service. For more information, please visit the website, https://t3transit.ca/. Another option for accessible transportation includes booking services with Pat and Elephant: http://patandtheelephant.org

ATTENDANT CARE – Attendants will not be pre-booked for this event. Should you wish to use an attendant, fee-for-service care can be arranged by contacting events@cacuss.ca prior to the event.

Early Risers - Running Group and Yoga (Delta Hotel)

CROWD – We anticipate that 10-20 people will participate in the running group and approximately 5-10 participants for yoga.

SOUND/LIGHTING –During the run, participants can expect to hear the city’s quiet morning buzz, and experience soft sunlight. Runners are welcome to bring their own audio devices. Yoga will be taught by a certified instructor. Soft background music will be played on the instructor’s personal audio device. Weather depending yoga will take place on the deck at the back of the convention center. If necessary it will take place indoors in the adjacent concourse. Either way the area will be lit by natural sunlight.

SPACE/QUIET SPACE – On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 6:30 am participants will meet in the Delta lobby. Greg Arsenault, Director of Marketing at Holland College will lead a running tour of historic downtown Charlottetown. These 5k route will take runners along the scenic Charlottetown Boardwalk, overlooking the harbor, and through the Confederation Trails.

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 7:00 am, start your day with a relaxing yoga session lead by a certified yoga instructor on the Harbourview Deck of the Convention Centre. Mats will be provided for participants.

LANGUAGE – The instruction will be in English.

ALCOHOL/BEVERAGES – Participants are encouraged to hydrate prior to early riser activities and/or take a water bottle with them.

FOOD/SERVICE – There will be no food offered at this activity.

RESTROOMS – Participants will have access to the Delta before and after the run and during yoga. There are gendered washrooms located on both floors of the Delta. There is one gender neutral washroom on the main floor. All washrooms in the convention area are accessible.

ELEVATORS/STAIRS –. There is a ramp located at the main entrance, giving access to the lobby and main level. The deck is located near the waterfront off the main level.

TRANSPORTATION/TERRAIN (walking, additional requirements, etc.) – Participants will be led on concrete sidewalks, a boardwalk along the waterfront, and trails (well groomed, currently used as running and biking trails). Attendees will be expected to provide their own transportation to and from this event. This venue is within walking distance or a short taxi ride of multiple hotels located in downtown Charlottetown. Charlottetown has a public transit system that is wheelchair accessible, for those who may require this service. For more information, please visit the website, https://t3transit.ca/. Another option for accessible transportation includes booking services with Pat and Elephant: http://patandtheelephant.org